During the course of a load assessment of the Forth Road Bridge, temperatures were measured on: (a) the suspended superstructure, (b) one of the main tower legs, (c) one of the main suspension cables, and (d) two of the hangers. The data collected were used to determine the highest and lowest temperatures experienced by these areas of the bridge, and the magnitudes of associated temperature differences. These results are reported. In addition, temperatures of some of the components were calculated and, where agreement between measured and calculated temperatures was satisfactory, the calculation method was used to determine 1 in 120 year extreme temperatures. These results are also reported. The data associated with vertical surfaces and with the main suspension cable are of particular interest, for published information on such temperatures is scarce. (Author/publisher)
Abstract